3 Major Blunders New Managers Commit and How to Avoid Them

You’ve just been promoted. But as a new manager, let’s be honest: you’re probably going to make a bunch of mistakes. We all have. But some new managers commit mistakes that are so big, there’s no coming back. Let’s take a look at three of the major blunders new managers commit so you can avoid them and make the most of your new opportunity.

Blunder #1: Assuming You Know Everything

Just about every manager has been guilty of walking into a room and assuming we know more than everyone else. Hey, you’ve just been promoted—you must be smarter than everyone you’re managing, right? So you jump in and try to change things and ... you belly flop.

As a new manager, when you assume you know everything, you can alienate your entire staff and lose the opportunity to glean valuable information that will help you to do well in your new position. Plus, what happens when you realize you don’t know everything? Now you can’t even ask anyone for help.

How to Avoid This One:

The best way to avoid this prideful blunder is to recognize that as a new manager, you have a lot to learn. Luckily, you’ll find many people who can help you adjust to your new role. Make sure you seek out the wisdom of others who are more experienced at managing.

And instead of jumping into full-scale transformation, take advantage of the wisdom and experience of your team, and find out why things are the way they are. Ask your team for suggestions on how things might be improved, and work with them instead of trying to force your will on them.

Blunder #2: Getting Power Hungry

Being a manager means you have a ton of power and can order people around, right? Wrong. Often, new managers come into their new roles expecting to be able to boss people around and quickly discover that they’re enmeshed in rules about how to manage, as well as a myriad of relationships in the corporate structure.

How to Avoid This One:

New managers often issue directives and orders rather than listening to the team. To be more effective, focus on working with team members to help them be successful. Build relationships with your team and earn their respect, and they’ll work harder to meet their goals. Speaking of relationships ...

Blunder #3: Focusing on the Wrong Kinds of Relationships

Many new managers struggle to adjust to being “the boss.” The transition can be difficult, and it’s often a challenge to get used to the fact that you can’t be besties with your coworkers anymore. In fact, focusing on the wrong kinds of relationships is one of the biggest blunders that new managers make as they settle into their new roles.

How to Avoid This One:

As a manager, it’s time to stop worrying about whether people like you. Now you have to focus on doing the job well to ensure the entire team’s success.

And it’s not that you shouldn’t care about the people you supervise—far from it! You’ll want to spend some time getting to know each team member: find out what their long-term goals are. This can guide you to help each team member succeed.

New managers may find the move to management a difficult one, but as long as you approach your new role with humility, integrity, and respect, you’ll have a much easier transition.

This post was written by Susan Baroncini-Moe

Susan Baroncini-Moe, bestselling author of Business in Blue Jeans: How to Have a Successful Business on Your Own Terms, in Your Own Style, is the CEO of Business in Blue Jeans, a consulting firm helping companies to gain visibility, improve the way their businesses are run, and implement key marketing strategies. Recently named one of The Top 20 Digital Marketing Experts for 2015 by Online Marketing Institute, Susan is also a Guinness World Records® titleholder, and she and her businesses have been featured in Redbook Magazine, USA Today, MSN Living, Inc., Investors Business Daily, and Social Media Examiner, among others, and on ABC.